Eleanor M. Swinderman, 89, of Keokuk, IA, died Sunday, August 26, 2012. She was born on September 18, 1922 in Montrose, IA, the daughter of Harry and Mary Ella Wardlow Dresser, Sr. On March 20, 1943, Eleanor was united in marriage to Harold Swinderman in Hannibal, MO. He preceded her in death on September 25, 2002. She graduated from High School in Montrose, IA. Eleanor had worked at Drydens in Keokuk, IA and Sheaffer Pen in Ft. Madison, IA. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Montrose, IA and the Keokuk Garden Club. Eleanor enjoyed bowling, loved to fish and was an outstanding cook. She was a gardener with a green thumb and grew the most beautiful flowers. She had a huge vegetable garden and spent hours canning the fruits of her garden labor. Eleanor loved to sew and crochet and crocheted many doll clothes for the Hope Center in Keokuk. The crocheted snowflakes and angels that she made for her family's Christmas trees will be treasured forever. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she loved spending time with them. She is survived by two daughters, Lucille "Lucy" Beaty of Keokuk and Deborah "Debbie" McVeigh and her husband Ed of Canton, MO,one daughter-in-law, Mary Swinderman of Keokuk, IA, one brother, Carl Dresser of Keokuk, IA, nine grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and an honorary son, Everett Newberry of Keokuk, IA. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Linda Sigmund, one son, Larry "Butch" Swinderman, two sisters, Ruth Conlee and Lois Cline, and two brothers, Harry Dresser, Jr. and Howard Dresser. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Brother Bill Hauser officiating. Burial was in the Sunset Memorial Park in Keokuk, IA. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital.